DND June 26 - International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

In its Resolution 42/112 of December 7, 1987, the UN General Assembly[1] declared June 26 the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, thereby signaling its determination to strengthen actions and cooperation toward an ambitious goal: an international society free from drug use.

Supported each year by individuals, communities, and various organizations around the world, this global observance aims to raise public awareness of the major societal problem posed by illicit drugs. 

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) program[2] highlights several topics for 2026. The first priority is to launch new prevention efforts to reduce and address the vulnerability of individuals—particularly young people and communities—by lowering their risk of exploitation by criminal networks.

The association “Say No to Drugs, Yes to Life”[3] has been working toward this goal for several decades. It is supported by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World[4], which provides it with informational brochures, DVDs, educator kits, and various promotional materials. Its goal is to effectively inform young people, parents, and educators about the dangers of drugs. This organization has distributed hundreds of thousands of brochures in French-speaking Switzerland and given presentations in schools, community groups, and private settings. Information and education help raise awareness of the dangers drugs pose to physical and mental health. Experience has shown that young people are particularly receptive to factual, non-judgmental information that enables them to make their own decision not to use—or to stop using—psychoactive substances. Sharing real-life examples and personal testimonies from peers is extremely valuable. 

What about prevention in Switzerland?

Article 1a of the Federal Act on Narcotics (NarcA)[5] defines the four-pillar policy, namely:

a. prevention;

b. therapy and reintegration;

c. harm reduction and survival support;

d. control and law enforcement.

The Confederation defined a National Strategy on Addiction[6] , which was adopted in 2015 and subsequently extended through 2028. This strategy serves as a framework for action for cantons, cities, NGOs, and professionals. Through this strategy, the Confederation coordinates the measures to be taken, funds national projects, and ensures consistency between prevention, treatment, and harm reduction. 

The association “Say No to Drugs, Yes to Life” focuses on prevention in its truest sense: taking action before the problem arises. Its efforts are aimed at the general public to prevent people from ever starting to use drugs.

Logically, effective prevention should reduce the effort required in the other three pillars. But if we look at the efforts—both human and financial—that the federal government and the cantons have been making for years, we see that they focus much more on therapy and harm reduction. There are very few prevention activities in schools, and these prevention efforts struggle to reach the general population. Many teachers have confirmed to us that school curricula do not include adequate prevention education regarding drugs and their dangers. We have also received testimonials from police officers in several cantons who have complained that, although they are called upon to conduct prevention work in schools, they lack sufficient time and appropriate materials and do not receive specific training to do so.

In short, we have practically observed that prevention efforts are not reaching young people sufficiently.

What is the drug situation on the ground in Switzerland?

Consumption

We are seeing an increase in drug use. According to a study conducted by the European Union Drug Agency (EUDA) (https://www.euda.europa.eu/publications/pods/waste-water-analysis_en), which tracks traces of drugs in wastewater from treatment plants, cannabis is on the rise, particularly in French-speaking Switzerland. The same is true for cocaine: Geneva and Zurich rank among the top ten European cities.

Drug Trafficking

The years 2025 and 2026 were marked in Switzerland and France by a resurgence of violence linked to drug trafficking, involving an increasing number of young people. An increase was observed in the large-scale recruitment of minors by gangs through social media (Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok), using manipulative tactics and promises of quick money. This phenomenon is part of a broader European and international trend; it has received significant media coverage, revealing both the scale of the problem and the diversity of modus operandi [e.g., the case at the Cité Aldrin in Sierre (https://www.rts.ch/info/regions/valais/2025/article/drug-trafficking-in-sierre-30-arrests-and-record-seizures-in-valais-28794664.html), with an organizational structure similar to that found in French suburbs—featuring leaders, delivery people, lookouts, and enforcers—or the Happy Mania case in Geneva (https://www.tdg.ch/vaste-trafic-de-stupefiants-a-geneve-une-elue-verte-a-ete-arretee-341191085332), where drugs were delivered via orders placed on WhatsApp and then Telegram, much like Uber Eats]. Seizures by customs and police have also increased. (https://www.rts.ch/info/suisse/2026/article/saisies-record-de-cigarettes-et-stupefiants-aux-douanes-suisses-en-2025-29186932.html)

Street-level drug dealing in our cities is highly visible and a cause for concern among the public. Despite police measures, dealers are still present and active. Furthermore, traffickers’ business models are evolving rapidly. They have considerable financial resources. Police resources and legislation must constantly adapt.

What are the solutions?

It is the demand that drives drug use. That is why we need to address the issue at the demand level. In fact, aside from those suffering from addiction, there are many casual users who are not necessarily dependent. Prevention efforts must therefore target them. For what reasons do young people use drugs? Testimonials show that it’s, among other things, to feel in the loop, to escape or relax, out of boredom, to party, to feel like an adult, to rebel, or to try something new. These motivations carry little weight compared to the damage drugs cause to both psychic and physical health.

Young people say they appreciate the prevention campaigns run by the association “Say No to Drugs, Yes to Life” because they provide straightforward information backed by undeniable scientific facts and testimonials from real people. They neither prohibit drug use nor preach, but simply inform. People who have accurate information about the dangers can then decide for themselves not to use drugs or to stop using them.

The association “Say No to Drugs, Yes to Life” achieves results using simple and economical methods: distributing informational brochures and DVDs on major drugs, posting on social media, holding talks in schools, businesses, and communities, training speakers, and more. You can help create a drug-free world by using the prevention tools this association provides free of charge.